10 thoughts on predicting future trends: 1. If it's talking point on Reddit, you're probably early. If it's a talking point on Linkedin, you're definetly late. 2. If the media is building something up -- be ready for them to tear it down. 3. If you're over the age of 25, assume your initial reactions about new trends are wrong. 4. If you're mocked for doing something, it doesn't mean it's the future. But if nobody mocks you, it's not the future. 5. Mainstream topics of 6-12 months downstream of memes on Twitter, Reddit and 4chan. The Overton Window is guided by memes. 6. The future isn't evenly distributed -- you can get on a 5-hour flight and move 5 years ahead. 7. If you wait for the news to tell you, you'll probably be wrong or too late. Historians now recognize the Roman empire fell in 476 -- but it wasn't acknowledged by Roman society until generations later. 8. If multiple smart friends tell you about a new idea, don't wait to understand it before you put a small bet on it. If you wait for society to educate you, you'll be too late. 9. Avoid reading about new trends. Get your hands dirty with practical time. You'll spot things 6 months ahead of the journalists. 10. Don't rely on algorithms. Have specific accounts you visit manually. If they're predicting unpopular future trends, it's unlikely the algorithm will be rewarding the content.